Fertility test for Fertility

A fertility test includes a series of assessments and examinations to check the fertility health of a man or woman, and their ability to conceive a child. These tests are usually conducted when a couple are having difficulty conceiving a child, or when someone wants to check their own fertility health.

There are a number of different ways to detect a person's fertility health, and detect the causes of infertility. The most common ones include:

• Ovulation testing - this can be done at home or in a specialised clinic, and involves detecting a surge in luteinising hormone (LH) that occurs during ovulation. 
• Hysterosalpingography - this is an x-ray procedure that involves the injection of a contrast medium into the uterus and fallopian tubes to detect for blockages and abnormalities.
• Genetic testing - these can detect for changes in the genes that can be a cause of infertility, or can increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. 
• Transvaginal ultrasound - this is a test that involves scanning the uterus, cervix and vagina, and checking for anomalies that can affect fertility and the ability to conceive.
• Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) blood test - this is a test that detects the levels of this hormone, which is a signifier of the woman's egg count. 
• Semen analysis - this test detects the sperm count and the quality of the sperm of the man.

If you are planning a fertility test, it is important to take the following precautions and preparations:

• Schedule the test at a convenient time - for some tests, it is important that the woman doesn't schedule the test in the middle of the menstrual cycle. For semen tests, it is recommended to abstain from ejaculation for 4-5 days before the test.
• Wear comfortable clothing - Some tests may require you to remove some items of clothing, so wear clothing that is convenient and comfortable for this purpose. 
• Bring a companion - if some of the tests may make you feel uncomfortable, bring a companion with you who can help to comfort you and put you at ease, and can help by driving you home or accompanying you on public transport if required. 

The time it takes to receive the results from the fertility test depends on the type of fertility test you are taking. Some tests such as semen analysis and ovulation testing may give immediate results, while other tests may require a period of time for the results to be analysed. The medical specialist will be able to advise you on how long you should expect to wait for the results.